2012

A couple of weeks ago, I sat here one evening looking at tumblr, and realized I’d lost my voice. Or, more correctly, I was sick ofhearing my own voice. Still am. It’s not quite writer’s block, since I have plenty of thoughts (and non-thoughts) to share. It’s more like a big wave of self-awareness crept over me and just, bleh. Maybe I’ll get over it soon. Maybe this will help.

It seems like a year worth reflecting on. So much happened for/to me, most of it good. (To those of you eagerly shoving 2012 out the door, I hope you won’t take that as insensitive or gloating. I’ve had those years, too, and surely will again. Based on the current health of my extended family, 2013 seems likely to land on the other side of the ledger.)

The headline events for the year were in the fourth quarter. I quit my job with no real plan for a new one, and filled the time (somewhat unintentionally) by having a key role in making a big-budget musical come to life on one of the most famous stages in the country. Truly unforgettable, on the short list of the most amazing experiences of my entire life.

As far as walking away from my career goes, I’m still not exactly sure what comes next. I am starting to get that machine rebooted (though in a different configuration), and hope to have some building blocks in place over the next couple of weeks.

Other entries in the Good Things pile:

I traveled to Mexico, Lake Geneva, the Dells, Asheville, and Union Pier, plus various less sexy destinations for gigs.

In 2011, I made a promise to myself to put my talents back into practice, and I succeeded: I played 17 gigs across 4 states with 4 different bands. I also participated in a half dozen recording sessions, one of which resulted in an ad that was on national TV twice.

I got several lingering, minor-but-must-get-done medical things fixed. You don’t want to see the pictures, I assure you. All good now.

Two days ago, I saw my baby sister get married to a truly great guy in what was apparently the dustiest room in Chicago.

I am watching my two incredible kids make their way through school and sports and dance, and watching them forge friendships with other great kids who I hope will be hanging around this house for years to come. Plenty of challenges along the way here, too, but I know how lucky I am, and how many people would trade seats with me in a minute.

I continue to have the love and support of my amazing wife, Sharon, who prefers to keep a low internetz profile, so I don’t mention her much here. (But I know you’re probably reading this in the family room. None of the above is possible without you, sweetie. ♥)

There’s a Bad Things pile to go with the Good Things, but it doesn’t seem worth enumerating them. I’ll simply say that entropy is a bitch, man. The universe works to break down order, to increase randomness, and it is a constant effort to counter it. And sometimes we lose that fight, no matter how hard we or others try. It will get us all and it will get everything we build, guaranteed. We have such a brief time here. It really is to be cherished with the ones we love, doing things that matter. That’s really all I’m aiming for in 2013.